Louise Lopez expertly guides queer individuals to vibrant, inclusive U.S. and North American neighborhoods with 15+ years of dedicated experience, ensuring they find not just a home, but a community where their authenticity is celebrated and protected.
As you contemplate moving to a new place, you’re likely to ponder how the locals will embrace your authentic self if you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community. It’s a crucial and reasonable concern to have, given that we still live in a world where acceptance isn’t always a given.
To help queer folks who are considering moving to Gay Kentucky, we have put together this guide from experts on the ground, considering the pros and cons of life here, discussing LGBT rights in Kentucky and whether Kentucky embraces our community.
We also take a look at the most gay-friendly cities in Kentucky and LGBT community organizations in Kentucky that you should be aware of!
As a member of the LGBT community, finding a welcoming and accepting place to call home is important. Kentucky, located in the heart of the South, may not immediately come to mind as a destination for the LGBTQ+ community; however, hear us out.
With its blend of Midwest and Southern influences, affordable living costs, and famous attractions such as the Kentucky Derby and world-renowned bourbon, the Bluegrass State has much to offer. But knowing that a state can offer you an endless supply of entertainment, nightlife, art, and diverse culture isn’t enough.
What about its acceptance and protection for the LGBT population? In this guide, we’ll delve deeper into the history and current climate for LGBT people in Kentucky, as well as the availability of gay hangouts and the presence of a vibrant queer community.
To reduce the stress of your relocation, we recommend engaging a gay realtor in Kentucky early in the process to help you find your new perfect home there. They will have up-to-the-minute information on the best cities and areas for LGBT people, and be able to match your needs to a neighborhood most suited to you.
You can just start with a no-obligation conversation, and if you decide to continue with your move to Kentucky – they will not only have your best interests at heart but also ensure you are treated with dignity and respect throughout the entire process.
In this article we will cover...
Highlights Of Moving To Gay Kentucky
Different aspects of every state make it a unique and tempting proposition to transplants, locals, and visitors – and residents of Kentucky are well aware that their state is brimming with hidden gems. After all, this is why many chose to live here.
Once you move here, you’ll be able to quickly befriend locals and spend your free time discovering the best sights and culture Kentucky has to offer. On top of this, thanks to an offbeat yet deeply engaged LGBT community, which congregates at a few fabulous queer hot spots, securing a relocation to Kentucky should allow you to meet queer people with similar interests.
We are certain they will have many more to add, but to get you started here are a few highlights of moving to LGBT Kentucky.
LGBT Friendly Cities
Kentucky is home to a couple of queer-friendly cities. For instance, Covington is where queer culture, food, and art come together to make the city unique. The city is a leader in LGBTQ culture and is home to many LGBTQ businesses, which means that the queer community can celebrate the strides and contributions it’s making in the city. The city is home to homey taverns and vibrant bistros where anyone can feel welcome.
What’s more, the Human Rights Campaign MEI has previously given the city an almost perfect score of 96 out of 100, making it one of the most inclusive cities in the state.
LGBTQ-Friendly Museums
Kentucky is home to the Speed Art Museum, a 92-year-old art museum. The museum is clearly committed to inclusion, diversity, and equity. It has also famously displayed artwork by LGBTQ+ artists, queer life, and representation so that you will feel right at home here.
Low Crime Rates
If safety is a number one priority to you, Kentucky might be the right state for you. Property and violent crime rates in the state are way below the U.S. average, so you can be confident about raising your family here. When you belong to the LGBT community, you know that safety is of utmost importance.
People Are Warm And Hospitable
The people of Kentucky are generally warm, generous, and always ready to make new friends or help someone out. Whether it’s a neighbor that needs help with something, or a stranger seeking directions, you will find that Kentucky is quite a warm and friendly state.
LGBTQ+ Rights In The USA
The laws governing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people have altered considerably over time in the United States and vary from state to state. In many ways, LGBT rights are some of the best in the world – but the devil is in the detail, and some places are much more hostile to queer life than others.
While same-sex marriage has been legal in every state since the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges ruling on June 26, 2015 (before Obergefell v. Hodges, same-sex marriage was legal in 36 states and Washington, D.C. ), LGBT people are still treated differently in different states – both societally and as inequality under the law.
Over half of all states still allow discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression, while counties and cities within states often have distinct laws as well. While some states permit adoption by all couples, others forbid it for all unmarried couples.
This is all to say what most of us already know is that LGBT rights and equality differ greatly across the USA, and the specifics of family, marriage and anti-discrimination laws are different in every state.
Thus, while it is comforting to know that you can choose to marry whoever you love across the USA (and have it recognized as such) and are protected against hate crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity (which can be punished under Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr.
Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009), there are still many questions you will likely have about moving to Kentucky and what you can expect of LGBT life there.
Does Kentucky Embrace The LGBTQ Community?
Kentucky is one of the country’s 26 states that have laws making it illegal to engage in actions that have a very low or negligible chance of spreading HIV. The State Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which enables business owners to refuse to provide services to same-sex couples on the basis of religion, was passed by numerous states, including Kentucky.
LGBTQ residents in rural locations typically have fewer options to consider when doctors or businesses refuse to provide them with services. Some degree of prejudice and discrimination still exists in the state today. Additionally, they are less likely to be covered by laws that specifically prohibit discrimination against LGBTQ individuals.
A strong sense of community is an important aspect of living in rural areas, particularly in the South. As LGBTQ Pride events proliferate in these communities, it shows a gradual but growing acceptance that the LGBTQ community in Kentucky is everyone’s community.
Three LGBTQ+ sports leagues, including bowling, kickball, and dodgeball, call Cherokee Park in Louisville home. Despite the unpredictability of the games right now, you can check the Varsity Gay League for updates or stroll through the park to see the LGBT scene in your neighborhood.
Kentucky has some LGBT-friendly neighborhoods, including Lexington and Louisville, which have passed laws defending the civil rights of LGBT people. In 2013, Kentucky passed The Kentucky Religious Freedom Act, which several gay rights organizations feared would invalidate local laws intended to safeguard their civil liberties.
Is Kentucky An Expensive State To Move To?
The cost of living in Kentucky is lower than the national average. The median cost of goods and services in Kentucky is 12.2% lower than the national average.
Housing. The average home in the state is valued at $135,300, which is less than the $204,800 U.S. median home value. Homes built in 1939 or earlier cost, on average, around $116,600, while those built in 2014 and later are worth, on average, $220,600. In Kentucky, the average renter pays $740 per month for housing, which is less than the $1,020 per month nationwide median rent. The state’s standard rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $585 per month, whereas a home with five and more bedrooms would cost around $1,055 per month.
Transportation. Kentucky’s average annual vehicle insurance rate is $1,300, which is lower than the $1,517 nationwide average. Additionally, it is expected that a single adult in Kentucky would spend approximately $10,290 on transportation annually.
Healthcare. In comparison to the U.S. average of $4,265 per year, the median healthcare cost for a single adult in Kentucky is $3,677 annually. Average yearly healthcare costs for a Kentucky family of four are $1,860, which is less than the national average.
Food costs. It’s expected that a single adult in the state would spend around $2,930 on food yearly. On the other hand, costs go up to $8,465 on average.
LGBTQ+ Community Organizations In Kentucky
Wherever you live, it is essential that you support LGBT organizations in any way you can so that they can keep reaching out to and assisting other, more vulnerable members of the community. After all, we are stronger when we work together, and each of us will likely have a time in our lives when we require a little extra support.
Thankfully, Kentucky has a supportive and diverse LGBTQ community, which has helped the state become more gay-friendly in recent years.
As a result, there are a variety of LGBT resources available to community members, their allies, friends, and families – and you ought to feel free to utilize them or consider giving your support as needed to keep your new home state moving forwards! They are also great places to meet new people and find your queer chosen family in Gay Kentucky.
The goal of the NKY Pride Center is to support regional initiatives for LGBTQ+ inclusion and equity by providing the community-based initiatives and services that LGBTQ+ residents of Northern Kentucky require.
Kentucky’s Fairness Campaign was founded by a group of people from Louisville in 1991. It is an LGBTQ advocacy. The organization’s aim is to support comprehensive civil rights law that forbids discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as the eradication of systematic racism.
With assistance from the group, 24 Kentucky communities have passed Fairness Ordinances that forbid discrimination against LGBTQ people in housing, employment, and other public accommodations. Through legislative campaigning and community outreach, the Fairness Campaign now works in cities all over the state to improve LGBTQ rights and inclusion.
The Lexington Pride Center is Kentucky’s oldest LGBTQIA+ group, having been founded in 1977. It is a nonprofit organization that offers safe and welcoming environments, services, and programs such as the Lexington LGBTQIA+ community center and the Lexington Pride Festival.
The goal of the Pride Center is to support and appreciate the diverse lives of LGBTQIA+ people in Kentucky. The organization foresees an ideal society where all LGBTQIA+ people are free to be themselves and love the people they love without fear of discrimination.
The Lexington Pride Center was established with the goal of serving everyone, regardless of their financial or social standing, and it is committed to doing so without discrimination on the grounds of race, ethnicity, color, nationality, creed, political inclination, or religion.
Most Gay-Friendly Cities In Kentucky
In Kentucky, there are many wonderful areas to live in, but when relocating to LGBTQ Kentucky, you should be cognizant that there are a few cities and gaybourhoods that are nearer to the queer hubs of life. Knowing them will allow you to pull your U-Haul up to your new house in a gay-friendly neighborhood or town that is best suited to your needs.
If you’re a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or otherwise queer person seeking a welcoming neighborhood with facilities you’ll cherish, start with these top gay and gay-friendly Kentucky cities to discover your perfect new home, each with its distinct personality.
Give yourself enough time to acquaint yourself with Kentucky’s diverse personalities, and remember that there is no one perfect answer when it comes to the most gay-friendly places in Kentucky… and just because it does not make our list doesn’t necessarily make it a bad option.
We recommend speaking to a local LGBT real estate agent for a more detailed understanding of the best options today. Now, let’s take a look at where these fabulously gay-friendly cities in Kentucky are and why you might want to consider them!
Lexington
Lexington is home to a sizable, thriving LGBTQ+ community. The city is fast becoming a must-see location for LGBTQ+ travelers, from a host of local luminaries like artist Henry Faulkner to the home of one of the largest and oldest gay pubs in the country.
Lexington boasts a vibrant urban core filled with exciting hotels to suit every demand, including well-known chains and independent accommodations. If you choose to live in the downtown area, you’ll be close to the “Fruit Loop,” which is a network of LGBTQ+-friendly bars, venues, and clubs that local queer people affectionately refer to as their neighborhood.
This city is renowned for being unconventional and for welcoming people who choose to settle here. There are a number of LGBT pubs and events in Lexington, including drag shows hosted by Bar Complex, Soundbar, and Crossings. Every year during pride week, the city holds a pride parade and seeks to ensure the safety of all of its citizens, regardless of sexual orientation.
The reason why Lexington is great for LGBT people is that it is big enough for one to get lost, be anonymous, and still find acceptance. The pride LGBTQ+ residents of the state have in their heritage is evident in Lexington. Lexington hosts the Kentucky Black Pride and the Imperial Court Coronation.
The city also hosts North American Bear Weekend in February, which attracts thousands of muscular guys. The pinnacle of the year in the city is Lexington Pride Festival, which brings 50,000 visitors to the city each June.
Louisville
Louisville is also renowned for its inclusivity and capacity to foster a sense of security and acceptance for LGBT individuals. The city of Louisville hosts an annual Pride parade and a number of pride-related events throughout the year and additionally collaborates with the Fairness campaign to tackle long-term care for the LGBTQIA+ community.
In addition to ensuring that the youth of the community are cared for, Louisville also works to ensure that every community member is cared for even as they get older. Being the state’s first and only city to receive a perfect score on the HRCs 2017 Municipal Equality Index, which measures how inclusive a municipal city is, Louisville should be proud.
A diversified area only a few minutes from the city hub, Old Louisville is home to Central Park, a place for locals to enjoy tranquil picnics, musical performances, and free theater during the summer in the park. Gay-owned Vu Guesthouse and Vapor are situated in the Smoketown district. As a resident, you can regularly enjoy Vapor’s amenities, such as a bathhouse, a men’s spa, and a fitness center.
Next door, is the gorgeous luxury boutique hotel Vu, which was designed from a converted tobacco factory. With its wide variety of LGBTQ-Friendly Venues, the city undoubtedly makes the LGBTQ community feel at home. Pandora Productions presents shows all year round. In addition to pride events, Louisville also hosts a yearly LGBT Film Festival.
This thriving city welcomes people looking for an inclusive location to live, work, and have fun with a variety of LGBTQ-friendly areas, events, and queer-owned businesses.
Covington
Covington, located in Northern Kentucky, is an LGBT-friendly hub in with a view of the Ohio River. The city blends art, cuisine, queerness, and culture to create a peaceful community. Covington is home to beachfront hotels ideal for a long stay, rustic taverns, and high-end bistros where you can meet up with your friends and enjoy life.
The Loft Night Club, Yadda Club, and other LGBT-friendly bars can be found in Covington. They are all open to both residents and visitors looking to have a good time. Covington is home to the Northern Kentucky Pride office, which assists in planning parades and other events for pride week.
The Fairness Ordinance, which provides safeguards to people based on sexual orientation and gender identity, includes protections for LGBT residents in 7 localities across the state, including Covington.
Covington is a trailblazer in the LGBTQ+ community in many ways than simply its LGBTQ+-friendly businesses and venues. The city received a score of 96/100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s yearly MEI, placing it amongst the most inclusive communities in the state.
Covington became a forerunner in inclusiveness when it passed the first Human Rights Ordinance in 2003 that incorporated gender identity and sexual orientation as protected classes against discrimination.
Finding Gay Realtors In Kentucky
When looking for the ideal realtor, why would you consider someone’s sexuality? This may seem strange at first, but there are several reasons why contacting a gay realtor in Kentucky is a great way to find your dream house.
After all, when it relates to one of life’s most significant transactions, it’s not unreasonable to expect fair, equal, and honest representation from someone who understands the queer community’s particular needs and wishes.
Furthermore, unfortunately, many people (up to a third of Americans) believe that our community does not deserve protection and dignity in housing, adoption, employment, and other areas of life.
So it’s no surprise that LGBT people who use mainstream realtors often describe feelings of discomfort, unnecessary trouble, unenthusiastic representation, or even antagonism or outright contempt.
Everyone deserves a pleasant, stress-free home buying or selling experience while being adequately represented, and this is why we feel you should hire a gay realtor to assist you in finding your future home.
LGBTQ realtors are more likely to be familiar with the diverse communities in their area and know which ones may be best suited to you when looking for a home.
That’s not to say a heterosexual realtor isn’t capable, but they’ve probably never had to address many of the issues LGBT people face. Rather than just being concerned with how bustling, fashionable, or up-and-coming a neighborhood is (or what it may appear like), gay realtors conduct extensive research into the neighborhoods in which they sell homes to ensure that clients are safe.
It used to be challenging to locate professional LGBT-friendly real estate agents in Kentucky, and it was virtually impossible to find one if you were relocating here from out of state and didn’t have access to a local referral.
You no longer have to search for a realtor without knowing whether or not they are accepting of others because you can use a list of gay, lesbian, and gay-friendly agents in Kentucky to do all of your homework for you.
Simply go to the page, and you’ll be presented with a free list of gay, lesbian, and gay-friendly agents who can help you with your relocation as well as other useful information like LGBT+friendly schools, shopping, storage firms, tradespeople, and more.
Read the biographies of LGBT real estate agents, then choose the one who is right for you. It’s critical that you find someone who will be by your side and support you and your family during one of life’s most exciting occasions.
Even better, there is no hidden motive, cost, or obligation whatsoever!
